Monday, June 13, 2005

A French journalist, Florence Aubenas, and her Iraqiinterpreter have been freed in Iraq after a five-monthhostage ordeal, officials in Paris today said, settingoff a wave of relief in France - but also raisingquestions as to whether a ransom was paid.

Aubenas and the interpreter, Hussein Hanun, were "ingood health," President Jacques Chirac said in atelevised address.

"On behalf of everyone, I want to express to FlorenceAubenas and Hussein Hanun our happiness and that of theentire nation to know that they are free and will soonbe returning to us," he said.

After a brief stopover in Cyprus, Aubenas headed home toParis, where she was expected late today, on a Frenchgovernment jet accompanied by French Foreign MinisterPhillippe Douste-Blazy. Hanun returned to his family inBaghdad.

The left-wing Paris newspaper Liberation for whichAubenas worked said the two were freed yesterday.

"We are completely swept away with joy at Liberation. It's a huge relief after five months of nightmare,"managing editor Antoine de Gaudemar told AFP.

No details about the circumstances of the release weregiven, and authorities did not identify thehostage-takers."